harmonica

noun

har·​mon·​i·​ca här-ˈmä-ni-kə 

1

: glass harmonica

2

: a small rectangular wind instrument with free reeds recessed in air slots from which tones are sounded by exhaling and inhaling

harmonicist

här-ˈmä-nə-sist 

noun

Examples of harmonica in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

True to his moniker, the singer and harmonica player, who performs at noon on June 15, serves up a potent mix of traditional blues and Bollywood music. —Randy McMullen, Mercury News, 12 June 2025

The talk will cover the invention of the harmonica and its role in America’s historical songs and its connection to Abraham Lincoln. —Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 June 2025

Brody Buster was the perfect moniker for a cute, blond 10-year-old harmonica phenom. —Dan Kelly, Kansas City Star, 25 May 2025

It’s maintained an idiosyncratic spirit all along, combining references from across rock history—a Bob Dylan harmonica line here, a Cars synth line there—with lyrics that unspool in unsteady, careening cadences. —Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 22 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Italian armonica, feminine of armonico harmonious

First Known Use

1762, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing harmonica

• glass harmonica

Rhymes for harmonica

• japonica
• veronica
• chronica
• hanukkah

Kids Definition

harmonica

noun

har·​mon·​i·​ca här-ˈmän-i-kə 

: a small musical instrument that is held in the hand and played by the mouth and that produces a sound through metal reeds which vibrate as air is blown or drawn past them